Overview

• Opening statements in Donald Trump's hush money trial began on April 22, 2024, in New York, where he faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records.
• Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg highlighted the potential influence of these records on the 2016 presidential election.
• Experts note that 65-75% of jurors typically decide on a case based on the opening statements, with 85% maintaining their initial judgment.
• The defense and prosecution in the trial used their opening statements to frame the narrative for the jurors, setting the stage for the months of testimony ahead.
• The trial's outcome will hinge significantly on these early impressions, as historical data shows jurors' decisions are often formed at this stage.